Children's Home run by Darlington Borough Council in Darlington

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The home provides a high quality service from committed staff who put young people at the heart of their practice. A nurturing environment provides young people with stability and consistency.  Interagency working is very good and very well organised. Contact arrangements are robust and staff go over and above to support important relationships between young people, their family and significant others.  Young people’s healthcare needs are met and educational outcomes are considerate. Staff know each young person’s educational background and share dynamic relationships with teachers. Activities are wide ranging and incorporate young people’s wishes and aspirations.  Young people are safe and live in a safe environment. Behaviour management is highly innovative and effective. Young people are consulted, listened to, and their views are taken into account.  Leadership and management is strong. Leaders and managers are

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The children's home provision is good because:

determined and enthusiastic and this ethos is shared by the staff team. Outcomes for young people and the home have significantly progressed and good monitoring ensures positive development.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6. In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to risk management and care planning, the registered person must ensure that staff: 31/12/2015 6(2)(b)(iv) Provide personalised care that meets each child's needs, as recorded in the child's relevant plans, taking account of the child's background.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure the home has enough suitably trained staff to meet the assessed needs of all children. In particular, ensure staff are provided with good quality attachment training. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 51 paragraph 10.1)

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for three children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/08/2015 Interim Improved Effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

04/03/2015 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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good

Young people experience extremely positive relationships with staff. Each young person is seen as an individual with a unique personality and they are judged by their strengths and potential. This boosts their self-esteem and feelings of good well-being. A young person said, ‘The staff are good. They care about you.’

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good

Young people are consulted and their views and wishes are very much taken into account. Staff are skilled at negotiating with young teenagers, which avoids unnecessary confrontations. This empowers young people and teaches them how to effectively communicate.

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good

Respect is an ethos that runs through the home and the staff team’s approach and attitude. This is visibly evident in interactions with young people. Consequently, young people respond warmly and have a genuine affection for the adults who care for them. This nurtures young people and provides high levels of emotional security.

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good

Young people are progressing and their outcomes are good. The quality of care unmistakably contributes to their development and achievements. Young people are healthy and they have access to the healthcare services they need, including specialist services. The looked after children nurse said, ‘I have known the home and staff for a while. Communication is very good and staff know the young people and their healthcare plans. Staff work well with other professionals and seek advice where they need to. The young people always look happy and the home is very welcoming.’

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good

Educational outcomes are a strength. Young people are in full time education and have 100% attendance. The Registered Manager and the staff team have an excellent knowledge of each young person’s current and predicted educational aims and targets. This enhances young people’s educational performance. A social worker said, ‘School is going really well, the home and school have an excellent relationship that supports my young person.’ The local school liaison teacher added, ‘I have worked with the home for a number of years and they are fantastic. The difference in one young person since he moved to the home is unbelievable. I have a lot of time for the staff, they go above and beyond. I can’t think of any negatives at all.’

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good

Young people’s aspirations are paramount. There is a strong focus to support participation in meaningful activities with fruitful results. Young people have gone from strength to strength in their chosen pastimes and the home and provider fully support this with staff time, availability and finances. A staff member said, ‘It has taken me nearly two years to persuade a young person to join the rugby club and he’s finally given it a go and he’s fantastic at it. He loves going and has made new friends and is playing really well. We are so proud of him.’ This dedicated approach creates new and positive opportunities that makes young people feel valued and induces a sense of pride.

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good

Whilst actual outcomes for young people are good, a recent introduction of a new format for the home’s written residential plans has negatively impacted the quality care planning. The revised plans have generic needs recorded that takes away individuality for each young person. Some plans lack important detail for example, one young person’s health needs are missing and another plan does not fully explain how to address complex behaviours. These omissions create a potential for inconsistency and compromise the aims and objectives of each placement.

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good

The staff team fully recognise the importance of young people having regular contact with family and friends and to feel part of their local community. Staff strive to involve parents in their children’s care and will go over and above expectations to accommodate contact arrangements. A staff member said, ‘It’s really important young people have contact and we do everything we can to make sure the see their family and friends.’

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good

Young people are very much part of their locality and freely access local amenities. The home is established within the area and has a good relationship with neighbours. This provides an emotionally secure environment where young people feel accepted and included. Young people are invested in their home and happily help with the garden, cooking, shopping and household tasks. They take pride in their surroundings, which has resulted in them living in a comfortable, relaxed home. A social worker said, ‘My young person has invested in the home, he does the garden, cleans his room and respects the house.’

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good

Transitions into the home are, in the main, planned and carried out in the best interest of young people. They are consulted about living at the home and meet the staff and other young people before deciding if they would like to live there. Other young people’s views are considered to maximise successful placements. Where admissions are arranged quickly, staff collaborate with all parties to make the move as smooth and stress free as they possibly can. This supports young people in times of crisis. A parent said, ‘I am happy with the home, they are really nice people. My child was moved quickly but this wasn’t the home’s fault. He has settled in really well. I have a lot of contact, I ring every day and my child can ring me when he wants. I feel I can call anytime and am always made to feel welcome.’ Judgement grade

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good

Young people are and feel safe. They are supported to understand risk taking behaviours and how to make safe lifestyle decisions. Consequently, they learn the importance of staying safe. A young person said, ‘I think it’s safe here. I am safe.’

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good

There are currently no young people who are at risk of going missing or exploitation. Staff are vigilant in taking reasonable safety precautions such as keeping in regular telephone contact with young people and checking young people are where they say they are. This is good parenting.

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good

Young people understand and readily accept staff genuinely care about them and their well-being. This reciprocal understanding promotes safe outcomes. A social worker said, ‘My young person has settled in really well, the home is suited to his needs. He needs a calm stable environment that he gets there. He also needs nurturing and has so far made good relationships with staff. He is safe and well cared for.’

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good

The home operates a zero tolerance to bullying that is known by the young people. Keyworker sessions include strategies to combat bullying inside and away from the home to inform and empower each young person. There is information available about independent networks and advocacy that gives young people a range of options to seek advice and support.

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good

Staff are knowledgeable about child protection and know what to do if they have any suspicions a young person may be at risk. They receive regular training and liaise with the local authority designated officer when necessary. A social worker said, ‘Communication with the home is good. The home work well with the local authority and seek advice where they need it. I am very happy with the home and have no concerns or worries.’

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good

Written individual plans that include risk assessments are in place to support young people’s safety. However, not all risk management plans fully include all known risks or how these will be minimised. There is no significant impact at the time of the inspection, nevertheless disorganised plans potentially compromise outcomes for young people.

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good

Behaviour management is a strength. There have been no restraints since the last inspection and sanctions are very rarely used. Behaviour is moulded through positive, trusting relationships. Staff invest time talking to young people about acceptable behaviours and how negative behaviours impact on others. This develops young people’s empathy skills and teaches them what is socially acceptable. Young people live in a safe environment that meets their needs. Facilities are regularly checked and serviced. Fire safety and health and safety matters are addressed and all visitors to the home are checked and vetted. This keeps young people safe.

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good

Leadership and management outcomes are good. The Registered Manager is an experienced practitioner who has the required qualifications to manage a children’s home. She is committed to the home and the young people and has high expectations of her staff team. The Registered Manager is supported by a senior residential worker who shares the Registered Manager’s drive and enthusiasm. Both managers are very well respected by the staff team, senior managers and other professionals. A social worker said, ‘This is a good home with good leadership.’

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good

The staff team are established and work well together. They are aware of their own strengths and utilise these in their practice. This provides young people with good care and support. Staff feel supported and valued, which is evident in their relationships with each other and their leaders and managers. A staff member said, ‘I love it here. I love coming to work and this is the best home I’ve ever worked at.’

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good

All staff have a Level 3 qualification in caring for children and young people and they receive regular statutory training updates. This includes training in child protection and behaviour management. The induction of new staff is thorough and all new staff are supported to understand the home’s operation. Training records are in place to ensure leaders and managers can monitor that staff have the skills and knowledge they need to meet young people’s needs. In the main, the records show most training is current, except staff training in attachment. As the young people living at the home have attachment difficulties a lack of current knowledge and understanding potentially impacts on underpinned practice in this area of care.

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good

Interagency working is a strength and feedback at this inspection is positive. Staff actively advocate on behalf of young people to ensure they receive the services and support they need. This encourages holistic care.

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good

Young people experience positive outcomes as a direct result of living at the home. They are progressing and achieving their potential and have significantly progressed from their starting point. The Registered Manager and staff team have an excellent knowledge of the young people’s history, background and their needs. This demonstrates their extensive involvement in the day to day care of young people.

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good

Overall monitoring at the home is effective and development plans show how staff at the home proposes to maintain their current good practice whilst extending the range of services for young people. Regular audits check that management systems are effective and documentation, including young people’s case files, are of a high quality. This ensures the home’s smooth operation.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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